# MerrSIM vs Thirr for Portugal: which eSIM wins?

> MerrSIM vs Thirr for Portugal: MerrSIM from €1.49, 10 GB €8.99, EUR, no ID.

Choosing between Thirr and MerrSIM for Portugal? MerrSIM gives a local EUR price (from €1.49, 10 GB €8.99) for Portugal, while Thirr has different pricing/terms. Here is the quick comparison.

## Portugal: MerrSIM

For Portugal, MerrSIM connects to local networks (MEO, NOS, Vodafone) on 4G/5G with hotspot, EUR billing and no ID registration.

## Why MerrSIM

- Local EUR price, no USD rate
- QR activation, no physical SIM
- No ID, hotspot, Albanian support

**Ready?** See Portugal plans at [MerrSIM](https://merrsim.com/destinations/esim-plans-for-portugal) — from €1.49, 10 GB €8.99, instant activation, no roaming.

## How an eSIM works

An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone: there is no physical card to insert. You buy it online, get a QR code by email and scan it in your settings. Once installed, the profile lives on your phone and activates when you reach Portugal, connecting automatically to a local partner network. You can keep your main SIM at the same time, so your number still gets calls and texts while the eSIM handles data.

## No registration, no shop queue

Many EU countries require identity verification for local SIM cards, which means a queue, a shop and sometimes even a local address. A travel eSIM skips all of that: it is sold as an international data service, with no passport and no contract. You have it ready before you set off for Portugal, so you land and are online immediately — no time wasted at the airport and no risk of surprise roaming bills.

## Why travellers choose MerrSIM

MerrSIM builds local plans for dozens of destinations, at a fixed price in euros — no dollar exchange rate and no surprises. Every plan includes hotspot, instant QR activation and no document registration. The app and support are in Albanian, which makes it easy for the diaspora and travellers from the region. For Portugal, that means a simple experience: buy it, scan it, and you are ready before you board the plane.

## Tips to save data

A few small habits make your gigabytes last in Portugal. Download Google Maps offline before you head out, set video quality to “Auto” or 480p, and turn off background app refresh. Use hotel WiFi for big updates and high-resolution photo uploads. With these steps, even a modest plan covers the whole trip, and your hotspot stays free for the moments you really need it.

## Does your phone support eSIM?

Before you buy, check two things. First, the phone must be eSIM-compatible: iPhone XR/XS and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and many recent Motorola, Huawei and Oppo models. Second, it must be carrier-unlocked. You can verify by dialling *#06# — if an EID number appears, your phone supports eSIM. This saves you any surprises when you arrive in Portugal.

## FAQ

### How much is an eSIM for Portugal?
At MerrSIM from €1.49; 10 GB for €8.99, EUR billing, no ID.


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Author: Etnik Beqiri  
Published: 2026-05-24  
Source: https://merrsim.com/en/blog/merrsim-vs-thirr-portugal-en